Share internet between Mac and Newton via Bluetooth

Earlier today I was checking out the new messages in my NewtonTalk mailing list when I came across a very cool how-to penned by Panic's own Steven Frank. Specifically, he described the method he has used to get his Mac (running OS 10.4) to share its internet connection with his Newton message pad over Bluetooth (Newton Bluetooth drivers and specifics here). So, whenever the Newt is within 30 feet or so of the Mac, it's surfing the web, checking email, streaming internet radio, all wirelessly over Bluetooth. Awesome.

With his permission, we're able to reprint the tutorial here. Please note, as Steven states, that the tutorial assumes you have several things already in place (like a functioning Bluetooth setup), as getting it to work isn't for the faint-hearted, and if your Newton and/or Mac explode after trying this, well, neither Steven nor TUAW is responsible. That said, on to the goods after the jump.

Thanks again, Steven!
It is assumed that you already have worked out the kinks in your Newton Bluetooth setup. You should be paired with the Mac, and have done a service discovery. Make sure you select the Mac's Serial Port service in the Newton's Bluetooth Setup (there was only one in my case).

Next, you'll need to go to Terminal on the Mac, and carefully enter these commands.

This starts a PPP server on the Bluetooth-PDA-Sync serial port. Note the IP address here. I've used 10.0.1.111. This will be the address assigned to your Newton.

This can be anything you like, but it should be a valid IP address for your LAN. If you use, for example, 192.168 addressing, you should use a 192.168.0.x address instead. Make sure it's not an address that's in use by something else!

Now, you need to set up an internet connection on the Newton side! Whew!

2. At one point I went into the Bluetooth system preferences pane, Sharing tab, and changed the Bluetooth-PDA-Sync serial port from "Modem" to "RS-232". I'm not sure if this is required, but it's something to try if it doesn't work for you.

3. Because this runs a PPP server on the Bluetooth-PDA-Sync port, it will conflict with anything else that tries to use that port, such as Palm HotSync.